Post-doctoral Fellow - Epidemiology, Traumatic Brain Injury, Brain Aging, and Dementia

Post-doctoral Fellow - Epidemiology, Traumatic Brain Injury,
Brain Aging, and Dementia

Location: University of Pennsylvania

Open Date: Oct 19, 2026

Deadline:

Dr. Andrea Schneider in the Departments of
Neurology and Epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania is
seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to
join an NIH-funded research program focused on understanding how
traumatic brain injury (TBI) contributes to cognitive decline and
Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) across the life
course.

TBI is an important and potentially modifiable risk factor for
dementia, yet the mechanisms through which TBI influences long-term
cognitive health-and the time course over which these associations
emerge-remain poorly understood. This project addresses these
critical gaps by leveraging data from more than 40,000 participants
from four large, NIH-funded prospective cohort studies: the
National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add
Health), Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study, Coronary
Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study, and
Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). The project uses an
accelerated longitudinal/cohort-sequential design and provides an
opportunity to work with exceptionally rich longitudinal data
spanning adolescence through older adulthood.

The post-doctoral fellow will play a key role in a collaborative
research program investigating how cumulative TBI exposure across
the life course relates to cognitive trajectories and incident
AD/ADRD; how pre- and post-injury vascular risk factors (including
hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, smoking, and obesity)
modify these associations; and how TBI relates to biomarkers of
neurodegeneration and vascular disease.

Open to applications from U.S. citizens and foreign
nationals.

Research Opportunities

Depending on the post-doctoral fellow's interests and experience,
projects may include:

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Harmonizing TBI, cognitive, vascular, biomarker, and neuroimaging
measures across large longitudinal cohorts

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Examining the relationship between cumulative TBI exposure and
long-term cognitive trajectories and dementia risk

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Developing novel life-course approaches to understanding the
intersection of TBI, vascular disease, brain aging, and
AD/ADRD

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Developing complementary independent research questions and
manuscripts based on the post-doctoral fellow's own scientific
interests

Training and Mentorship

The post-doctoral fellow will receive close mentorship in
neuroepidemiology, longitudinal epidemiologic methods, life-course
epidemiology, dementia epidemiology, biomarker analyses, and
analysis of large population-based cohorts. The position is
designed to support the post-doctoral fellow's development toward
an independent research career, with opportunities to lead
publications, present findings at national and international
meetings, develop grant applications, and pursue independent
research questions.

The fellow will be part of a highly collaborative research
environment spanning neurology, epidemiology, biostatistics,
neurocritical care, and population health. There will also be
opportunities to collaborate with investigators across
institutions.

Qualifications

Applicants should have:

• Doctoral degree in epidemiology, biostatistics, or a related

field

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Strong quantitative and analytical skills

-

Experience with statistical programming (e.g., R, Stata, or
SAS)

-

Experience analyzing longitudinal epidemiologic data is
preferred

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Strong scientific writing and communication skills

-

An interest in TBI, dementia/ADRD, neuroepidemiology, aging,
biomarkers, or related areas

Experience with large population-based cohorts, longitudinal data
analysis, survival analysis, biomarkers, or neuroimaging would be
particularly valuable, but candidates with strong quantitative
training and an interest in developing expertise in these areas are
encouraged to apply.

Application Instructions

Applicants should submit a cover letter, CV, research statement (2
pages maximum), and contact information for three references.
Materials should be submitted through interfolio.

Any questions, or follow up inquiries, can be emailed to Dr. Andrea
Schneider (Andrea.Schneider@pennmedicine.upenn.edu).

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

To apply, visit https://apply.interfolio.com/195919

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer.
Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race,
color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin
(including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship
status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected
under applicable federal, state, or local law.

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